1. a highly reactive organic compound with the formula CH₂=C=O, used in organic synthesis
Usage: chemistry

Examples

• Ketene is an important intermediate in the production of acetic anhydride.
• The chemist carefully handled ketene due to its high reactivity.
• Ketene readily reacts with water to form acetic acid.
• Industrial processes often use ketene as a building block for other chemicals.
• The laboratory synthesis involved the formation of ketene as a key step.